US opens the door to Mexico Avocado Exports
MEXICO CITY (AP), The U.S Embassy announced Friday that Washington lifted a ban on Mexican avocado inspections. This will allow for the return of exports.
Ambassador Ken Salazar stated in a statement that the decision was made after Mexico and the United States had agreed to "enact the measures necessary to ensure the safety of agricultural inspectors" who are responsible for making sure that Mexican avocados do not carry pests or diseases that could harm U.S. orchards.
After a threat to one of the U.S. inspectors in Michoacan's western state, the inspections were stopped last week. There, growers are regularly subjected to extortion from drug cartels.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated Thursday that the inspector received a threat against him and his family.
It stated that the inspector had "questioned the integrity of a shipment and refused to certify it on the basis of concrete issues."
Only one Mexican state is certified pest-free and can export avocados to the U.S. Reports have repeatedly indicated that Mexican packers are trying to claim they are from Michoacan by buying avocados from non-certified states.
